John Kotter says that the change process takes time and goes through several different phases in a successful change effort and that a mistake made during any phase of the change effort can have a negative impact on the organisation [or community]. Kotter outlines an eight step process with suggestions to help organisations [communities] transform.

1. Increase urgency
2. Build guiding team
3. Get the vision right
4. Communicate for buy-in
5. Empowering action
6. Create short term wins
7. Do not let up
8. Make change stick